January Sunshine

Florida is a 65+ paradise of 3 PM happy hours, vintage sports cars, and lazy days at the beach. Before returning to my current ice box of a school, I had the fortune of spending a week with my snow bird parents on the Gulf Coast. I feel like Florida is in limbo as the landing point of transient winter visitors, the playground of coastal millionaires, yet there are still visible signs of struggle.  Between oceanfront villas you can also easily find ramshackle and incomplete properties.  At least people are relaxed here; the lack of sunshine or an unplowed driveway are never excuses for a bad day.

Murals on the side of a Baptist church.

If houses had souls.

The El Jobean Depot Cafe was established in 1922, when the community was envisioned to be the next Boston of the south. It was a post office, train station, and prison, but now is a small museum, meeting space, and bar.

Interior views of the depot.

A bar with a LOT of character.

Afternoon beers with my dad!

Right around the corner from those tropical-colored homes, you'd find places like this.

On a boat to visit an island restaurant with my Aunt and Uncle, who migrate south from Ohio.

DOLPHINS!

Searching for shells at Boca Grande Beach, one of the most beautiful in Florida, if not the world.

Sarasota Bay Park

A visit to the Tiki Bar!

Florida isn't quite for me, but it was a glorious week to end my winter break.  I undoubtedly miss the fresh seafood and abundant fruit, though having distinct seasons makes you appreciate warm days all the more!

Listening: "X-Ray" by Xylos

Thailand Travels, part II

I am so behind on posting about my more recent life of the last three weeks, but here is the last photo splurge from Thailand!  Basically we tanned ourselves to a crisp on Koh Samet, went snorkeling, sat in the softest sand, drank amazing mango and papaya smoothies, and indulged on mango sticky rice and crepes.  The island had such a relaxed and fun vibe, and at night you could eat on the beach because the restaurants set out mats and tables.  The fire dancers were a thrill, Kat and I tried convincing them to hang out with us, but alas we weren't cool enough...

Sorry about the photo explosion, but these were all too beautiful not to share. This trip really set me back financially, but I don't regret basking in the Thai sun and posting up in a pavilion ensuite... it just won't happen again for a while.  But, I recommend that you all book your flight to Thailand ASAP, and invite me along!!

Beyonce Bowl and the Beach

I have a more positive rant on lady power tonight.

Yup, berate me as a complete hypocrite for watching two-thirds of the Superbowl on Sunday, but I have no shame because I was able to witness Beyoncé freakin' Giselle Knowles-Carter take over the world during the half time show.  BEHOLD:

Haters gon' hate, I know.  I'm scoffing at those who deny her talent (you try to be a multi-million dollar artist for over a decade, dancing that hard on the most-viewed stage in the world Sunday for 14 minutes), cry out at her exhibitionism (again, she needed to be dressed that way to dance, and what about the mid-drift, booty-skirted cheerleaders?!), and lack of class (she is a performer and damn did she put on a show) -- I don't want to hear it!
Did you see that her stage production was completely women, looking powerful, sexy and confident (though the two aren't always equated)?  And she shared her glory with her friends!  Kelly and Michelle were also marvelous, if only Destiny's Child would come back.  I could go on, but there's certainly enough of this around the web.  It was an exciting, dynamically executed performance that will now be the pick-me-up on days I'm feeling less than [Sasha] Fierce; if only I could make stadium lights burn out!  Jay-Z is one lucky man and my high school Beyoncé phase has definitely been reaffirmed.

Other than that, nothing too wild going on in this Florida-world.  We went to an outdoor market that's held every weekend in Punta Gorda right outside the county court house.  It was small but had a great balance of farm produce with local crafts and specialty products-- like a cupcake van and European baked goods!  That morning my parents and I went to a pancake breakfast and I drew the 50-50 raffle ticket, which happened to be my mom's (she was thrilled because she never wins those kinds of things), and we made out with $80!  Then at the market, she let me buy a jar of tupelo honey and honey chèvre imported from France.  Snacks and salads these days have never tasted so good :)

 And here we have the causeway leading to Sanibel, an island strip on the Gulf side of Charlotte Bay.  You have to pay a small toll to cross the bridge, but before the island there are roadside beaches.  We pulled over and soaked in the sun on the bay side, I dozed off and eventually we switched to the breezier Gulf side for another repose.

  I like to think of Florida of having no rules (even though there are countless more than the existence I'm used to, but whatever) and this absolutely extends to my clothing.  One reason is because I only brought select articles from my closet at home, though the main reason is because I don't care too much.  I try to stay comfortable more than anything because I find sweating that isn't exercise-instigated severely uncomfortable.  Here I'm wearing a fluorescent peach top with mesh on the neckline, which I bought in Boston on impulse and subsequent regret because the day before I was just saying how I don't do highlighter colors.  Hence, this was my first outing with this shirt, rather than a weekend dance party I was envisioning.  And the overalls, oh this wonderful Target find!  I remember my mom waiting outside the dressing room, and when I chose these over a pair of cargo pants her skepticism was clear.  Yet three years later, they are my adventure-alls that I've hand- embroidered with colored thread and danced my way through the day and night.  And yes I know, they are complete man-repelling status and make me look 10.  I don't consider myself a hat person, but I top it all off with a wide brim, woven cowboy's hat.  It gives lovely shielding from the harsh sun.  My sandals are my fourth pair of the same style from another obscure beach store down here, and the rubbery-plastic can withstand anything.  Except my own stupidity when it comes to weekend debauchery (Asia Night. No further explanation needed).  

It's ridiculous, but somehow works.  Like life, right?

(the mandatory 'in the water back-facing contemplating the beauty' pic)
Hope you're having a beautiful week so far!

Listening: "Ten Cent Pistol" by The Black Keys

Surf and (in)Sanity

So I'm in central-Western Florida now. Three weeks to go until China.
My parents are spending their second winter down here and I've nestled right back in with my three fluffy dogs.

We went to a manatee park!  

Actually it's a heating plant and their filtered water comes out into a reservoir  so the manatees gather there when the Gulf is too cold.  I've heard there's been hundreds there before!  I've only seen a dozen or two.  My pops and I rented a 2-person kayak and paddled out to visit those adorably humongous sea cows.  They're actually a lot harder to spot at water-level, like giant brown blobs... but we were close to a few that came up for air!  They make hilarious snorting noises with their whisker-covered snouts, sometimes splashing up their wide, paddle tails as they roll.  I want one!

I really don't want this to come off as complaining about Florida while the majority of my friends and family are shivering in New York, but I'm kind of bored.  And lonely.  I'm no longer applying for the research grant that I've been all in a hype about, so it's back to square one with internships and my hunt for summer opportunities away from home.  However, I'm trying to stay busy -- combating my own thoughts, working on gaining a tan, trying to run and swim, reading, blogging (yay!), painting, not studying Chinese (ugh) and rollerblading.  Ah, the blades!  Those have been my savoir repose; the nearly zen concentration it takes with every push, trying not to fall, nor be hit by a silent on-coming golf cart.  There's a lot of startled elderly folks in the community, along with wistful ladies who told me they used to rollerblade, but are now too fearful of breaking their ankles.  

Here's to profiting from our youth before it escapes us!

(Only thing is my lower back and legs become sore after a while.  Damn tibial anteriors!)

We went to Boca Grande Beach on Wednesday -- it's the best!

Spectacular views, white sand, pretty sea shells and waves in every shade of blue.  We went to a restaurant a couple dozen meters away, you know with surf views, and I had the most incredible salad.  I normally don't bother ordering dressed-up lettuce at restaurants, but this salad had seared scallops, slices of mango and avacado, pecans, craisins, cherry tomatoes and crumbled goat cheese a top a bed of field greens.

I probably lost you a while back, but basically, I love food way too much and it is wonderful having my mom take me grocery shopping so I can cook.

Although I miss you all and what I'm missing right now, you definitely don't have to feel sorry for me.

Listening: "The Human Condition" by Jhameel.  I'm worried I'm going to over-listen all my good music before I leave D: Give me a shout if you have any recommendations or CDs/flash drives you want to send my way..!

Moral Stomping Ground

Everything seemed purer in Florida (it was the white sand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spring break, march 2012.]